POLICE SHORTAGE
   Date :09-Jul-2019

 
DESPITE a rap from the Supreme Court a decade ago, most States are still dragging their feet on initiating reforms in the police department. The conseqences are evident in the data released by the Home Ministry which pegs the police posts lying vacant in the country at 5,28,396. The number is huge and needs immediate course correction at the highest level. Policing is a critical factor for maintaining internal security. But Police Departments in most states, barring Nagaland, are struggling to cope up with the dwindling numbers mostly resulting through slow recruitment, reitrements, and untimely deaths. It is having a domino effect on the available force necessiting extra hours of duty. The apex court had considered all these aspects before directing States to fill up vacancies through a reformed process. Yet, nothing seems to be on cards in correcting the heavily disproportionate ratio. A quicker recrutiment process, added emoluments, and even mulling lateral entry into the force can help in changing the scene. It all depends upon political will.
 
PM’S EXHORTATION
 
PRIME Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has exhorted the citizens to read books and share the experience with him. That is a very good way of inculcating the habit of reading books, especially among the young people. Such a suggestion comes from the nation’s Prime Minister at a time when there is a general feeling that the younger generation is so possessed of internet and smart phones that there is lurking fear that the whole generation would stop the habit of reading books. That would indeed be a tragedy because the people would be slamming doors on a rich source of gaining wholesome knowledge that has hitherto enriched the human race. During his recent monthly ‘Maan Ki Baat’ interaction with the citizens of the country the Prime Minister urged the people to share their experience on his website and tell about the interesting part of the book. This sharing of knowledge gained through reading of books would lead to passing on ideas and useful thoughts and also connect people with a larger family of readers.